Winemaker Notes
Paraje Altamira Malbec shows as much complexity, concentration, and texture as this appellation can deliver; without resigning drinkability nor grace. It has a deep ruby red color with soft violet hues. The nose is intense and elegant, with aromas of black fruits, cassis and plums, as well as herbal aromas, mainly eucalyptus. Subtle notes of chalk and orange peel begin to show as the wine opens in the glass. The attack is impressive; it is juicy, fresh and vertical in the palate. It has great texture, notes of chalk and a long and velvety finish that leaves you with a watering mouth and a smile on your face.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From silty soils at the estate Jardín Altamira site, the 2021 Malbec Appellation Altamira is another benchmark example of Altamira's distinctiveness. A broad, expansive and expressive bouquet of crystal-clear purple flower aromas bounds from the glass, supported by a rich yet measured bed of black and purple fruits. The palate is both wide and broad, with a laser-focused, tensile core, releasing into a finish that is equally high and refreshing yet deep and grounded. This is all about flowers and textural breadth, sitting lower in the mouth with a pronounced horizontal richness, juxtaposing the equally fantastic Appellation Gualtallary bottling, which exudes a more vertical, stony profile with a distinctly herbal bouquet. Even while attempting to correct for vintage variation, I find the Altamira wine a touch more complete and three-dimensional, but it really is splitting a hair. Rating: 96+
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Wine Enthusiast
In this Malbec, energy and subtle elegance shine through the aromas and the palate. It's lively and offers a nose of crushed cranberries. Fine tannins and excellent acidity support flavors of cherry, red plum and cranberry. Saline notes add to the wine's complexity.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.